It seems counter-intuitive to make a racing game’s optimal strategy to lag behind the rest of the other racers
Mario Kart is a racing game like Smash Bros is a fighting game; sure it fits, but you can’t really compare it directly to the competition.
Knocking opponents off the stage is close enough to lowering their HP to 0.
Being slower than everyone else is the opposite of being faster than everyone else. It does seem like it’s cheesing the system that’s supposed to balance things out.
Even items in Smash Bros has a skill component in getting to the item first. And “rubber band” mechanics like bonus final smashes (and items in general) can be turned off.
Knocking people off the stage isnt the part that makes smash uncomparable to other fighting games.
Its the fact that its technically a platforming game, and a multiplayer game, which frequently incentivizes running and hiding from opponents, and has a built in random trip mechanic to fuck you over for no reason other than coin flip handicapping you, among a myriad of other examples of how the game can make the weaker player win.
It’s also possible to turn those off (items and their distribution), making bagging a minor issue at best.
Is it because of wind resistance? The one in front cuts through the wind for everyone else?
Yes. But it’s a duel, so they’re just trying to stay behind one person.
You’re not allowed to stop, so you try and creep forward really slowly by doing bike stands until the last lap.
I dunno exactly what sandbagging looks like in Mario Cart, but I kind of doubt it looks this silly.
